Bill > SB5507

This bill amends Washington state's medical assistance regulations to add coverage for massage therapy, effective January 1, 2027. Specifically, the bill will require medical assistance plans to provide coverage for massage therapy performed by a licensed massage therapist under specific conditions: the therapy must be medically necessary, serve as a non-pharmaceutical alternative for pain treatment or management, and be accompanied by a referral from an authorized healthcare provider who can order or refer medical services. This addition expands the existing list of medical services covered under the state's medical assistance program, which currently includes services like hospital care, nursing services, physicians' services, and various diagnostic and preventive treatments. The provision aligns with a broader trend of exploring alternative pain management approaches that do not rely solely on pharmaceutical interventions, potentially offering patients additional options for addressing chronic pain or discomfort.

Health and Social Services

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5507&Year=2025&Initiative=false